ROME: THE ETERNAL CITY

ROME: THE ETERNAL CITY

FOR MANY SAVVY TRAVELLERS, THE HOTEL DE RUSSIE IS THE NUMBER ONE PLACE TO STAY IN ROME. ANGELA BEITZ EXPLORES THIS ICONIC PROPERTY AND IT’S MAJESTIC LOCATION…

Since its opening, Hotel de Russie has been Rome’s number one hotel for the who’s who including everyone from celebrities, politicians and those who want to rub shoulders with the aforementioned. The hotel is achingly chic and very private. Once you step off the Piazza del Popolo and tony Via del Babuino and into this gorgeous hotel, you’ll instantly understand why it has famous clientele. It’s a refuge from the hectic rush of Rome and is surrounded by stunning nature that you never thought possible for such an inner-city hotel. The landmarked 19th-century palazzo is discreetly tucked away in front of a secret garden that provides a lush, green oasis amid the city making it the perfect spot for an al fresco breakfast or an aperitivo.

The hotel has everything you can think of including outstanding amenities that range from a wellness spa, to bespoke cultural itineraries, and even a children’s programme. Suites are spacious, stylish and classic, with the best suites facing the inner garden. Known as one of the most luxurious spots in Rome is the hotel’s Stravinskij bar, where sommeliers and bartenders always please with the perfect drink or espresso and it’s no surprise that George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and Pink Floyd have been seen here.

Sophistication and style is what to expect in the rooms at Hotel de Russie and you’ll have every creature comfort available to you. For interior lovers, the décor in this hotel is absolutely beautiful with each room having its one colour scheme and own sense of style. Expect to see a palett of pastels, rich grays and dark woods along with pops of orange and quirky accessories and loads of cool coffee table books. Flower prints, plush furniture, bold colours, stripes, marble and mosaic tiles accent each of the de Russie’s 98 rooms and 24 suites. You can also book an interior room, which comes with a terrace overlooking the luxury hotel’s garden. As if they almost knew what we were thinking, a signature drink arrived to our door at aperativo time each day. Such a nice touch.

If you really want to go all out, guests can choose between two beautifully redesigned suites, both by Olga Polizzi, director of design for Rocco Forte Hotels – The Picasso Suite and The Popolo Suite. The Picasso Suite is dedicated to the artist, who stayed there for three months in 1917. It epitomises the hotel’s style with tasteful, modern furnishings and pops of colour. In the living room, prints and pillows featuring Picasso’s designs complement the beige sofa and armchairs. Guests can enjoy an intimate dinner in the dining room, which has a wet bar, an elegant marble table, and built-in shelves filled with books and decorative objects. The 860-square-foot suite has one bedroom, a bath decorated in Italian marble and mosaics, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 270-square-foot private terrace overlooking the hotel’s garden.

The Popolo Suite so named because its terrace has excellent views of Piazza del Popolo is even larger thanks to a recent expansion. The 1,080-square-foot suite comprises a living room, a dining area, a master bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe, a marble-and-mosaic bath with a double shower and separate tub, a powder room for visitors, and a 480-squarefoot private terrace. The design draws inspiration from Rome’s rich history and Mediterranean colour swatch, seamlessly blending antiques and modern furnishings done up in luxurious Italian velvets and silks in greens and burnt amber. Reupholstered vintage chairs, a custom-made rug by Polizzi, contemporary photography of Roman monuments, and marble reliefs combine to form the suite’s inspired design.

The Roman hotel’s tranquil spa has an amazing variety of treatments including massages, body scrubs, facials, manicures, pedicures and hair removal. The spa also features a well-equipped gym, marine hydro-pool, sauna, Turkish steam bath and Jacuzzi. They also use the Rocco Forte brand of products which are organic and soothing. The hotel is located in Rome’s very posh Tridente neighborhood and has everything you need right on your doorstep. The city’s shopping mecca featuring boutiques from haute cuisine favorites like Valentino, Hermès, Azzedine Alaïa, Céline, Gucci and Prada and it’s in perfect walking distance (about 10 minutes) to Rome’s main squares and monuments such as Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Campo de’ Fiori. There simply isn’t a better place to stay in the inner-city and it’s not hard to see why this iconic hotel is known for its impeccable style and great service.